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Sunday, August 31, 2014

Kurd Rebels Fighting Islamic State Boost Hand for Turkey Talks - Bloomberg

Kurd Rebels Fighting Islamic State Boost Hand for Turkey Talks
By Selcan Hacaoglu Aug 31, 2014 11:00 PM GMT+0200

After fighting the Turkish army for decades, the Kurdistan Workers Party is now confronting a foe that’s shared by its erstwhile enemy, strengthening the group’s hand in talks on a political settlement.

More:Kurd Rebels Fighting Islamic State Boost Hand for Turkey Talks - Bloomberg

Basting Turkey's New Prime Minister :: Middle East Forum

Basting Turkey's New Prime Minister

by Daniel Pipes
The Washington Times
August 28, 2014

As Recep Tayyip Erdoğan ascends today to the presidency of Turkey, his hand-picked successor, Ahmet Davutoğlu, simultaneously assumes Erdoğan's old job of prime minister. What do these changes portend for Turkey and its foreign policy? In two words: nothing good.

More:Basting Turkey's New Prime Minister :: Middle East Forum

Market pressure keeps Babacan in new Turkish Cabinet - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East

Market pressure keeps Babacan in new Turkish Cabinet

Ali Babacan, deputy prime minister in charge of the economy, retained his post in the new Turkish Cabinet, announced Aug. 29 by Ahmet Davutoglu, Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s successor in the prime minister’s seat. This comes as good news for international financial investors, who credit Babacan as a guarantor of Turkey’s economic policies. It is also good news with regard to sustained economic stability at a time when risks are on the rise. Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek, too, retained his post.

More:Market pressure keeps Babacan in new Turkish Cabinet - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East

President Erdoğan, PM Davutoğlu to be absent at opening of judicial year in act of protest - POLITICS

President Erdoğan, PM Davutoğlu to be absent at opening of judicial year in act of protest

ANKARA
Turkey’s top government officials will be absent at the opening of the judicial year, in protest at the scheduled speech of the Union of Bar Associations head

More:President Erdoğan, PM Davutoğlu to be absent at opening of judicial year in act of protest - POLITICS

Turkish army warns over 'red lines' in Kurdish peace talks - Yahoo News

Turkish army warns over 'red lines' in Kurdish peace talks
AFP

Istanbul (AFP) - Turkey's army chief has warned that the army will do whatever is necessary if its "red lines" are not respected in peace talks with Kurdish rebels.

More:Turkish army warns over 'red lines' in Kurdish peace talks - Yahoo News

Attacks on women journalists hurting their reputations

Attacks on women journalists hurting their reputations

Verbal attacks by members of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) and its sympathizers against journalists that are critical of them are more difficult for women journalists to cope with, as they also sometimes have to endure sexually abusive language and slurs.

More:Attacks on women journalists hurting their reputations

How a women-only beach split Turkish society - Opinion - Al Jazeera English

How a women-only beach split Turkish society

The debate on the women-only beach in Antalya hints at the extreme poliarisation within Turkish society.

More:How a women-only beach split Turkish society - Opinion - Al Jazeera English

Turkish Deputy PM Babacan to maintain oversight of economy - for now - ECONOMICS

Turkish Deputy PM Babacan to maintain oversight of economy - for now

ANKARA - Reuters

Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Ali Babacan will retain overall responsibility for the economy in the new government, senior officials told Reuters late on Aug. 30, a move likely to ease concerns of a turf war within the Cabinet.

More:Turkish Deputy PM Babacan to maintain oversight of economy - for now - ECONOMICS

Central Bank Did Not Bow Before Erdogan

Central Bank Did Not Bow Before Erdogan
2014-08-30 13:46:51
The last few days have been very intense in terms of political and economic events. On Wednesday the congress of the Justice and Development Party (AKP) nominated then-Foreign Minister Ahmet Davuoglu (elected almost unanimously) as the new chairman of the AKP, replacing Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who had also nominated him as prime minister. On Friday the new Cabinet, in which Ali Babacan has kept his post of deputy prime minister in charge of economic affairs, was announced by Davutoglu.On Wednesday, while the AKP congress was witnessing the customary diatribes of Mr. Erdogan and those of Mr. Davutoglu, in fact less customary, the Monetary Policy Committee (PPK) of the Turkish Central Bank was deciding not to change its interest rate policy. The PPK kept the one-week repo rate (the policy rate) at 8.25 percent, ending the period of successive cuts that has lowered the policy rate from 10 percent to its current level in three steps. I had already asserted that the last cut of 50 basis point

More:Central Bank Did Not Bow Before Erdogan

[Photo Story] İstanbul faces ecological disaster with crazy projects

[Photo Story] İstanbul faces ecological disaster with crazy projects

Drought and water shortages have been at the top of the country's agenda recently. The rainfall this year has been insufficient and the reservoirs are at worryingly low levels. In addition, the wetlands north of the megacity of İstanbul, which are on the migration route of migratory birds, are being destroyed. Not only the wetlands but also the forests are being ravaged during the construction of the third airport and the third bridge of Istanbul. This is an ecological disaster.

More:[Photo Story] İstanbul faces ecological disaster with crazy projects

Young entrepreneurs take pulse of İstanbul's street art via free app

Young entrepreneurs take pulse of İstanbul's street art via free app

Street art enthusiast or not, you must have, at least once in your life, felt some fascination about this form of art, which breathes life into soulless walls, perhaps heightening a sense of mystery, adventure or romance for some, particularly for İstanbulites, who aren't as accustomed to seeing this urban decoration as their counterparts in Western cities.

More:Young entrepreneurs take pulse of İstanbul's street art via free app

Impatience grows in Turkey over Syrian 'guests' - Yahoo News

Impatience grows in Turkey over Syrian 'guests'
AFP
By Neyran Elden 10 hours ago

Istanbul (AFP) - Cengiz, a street seller who plies his trade selling bread rings in the centre of Istanbul, is usually a fervent supporter of Turkey's newly-elected President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. But on one issue, he begs to differ.

"I support Erdogan. But I must say he made one error and that's to allow the Syrians into our country," he said.

More:Impatience grows in Turkey over Syrian 'guests' - Yahoo News

BÜLENT KORUCU - Turkey witnesses journalism's funeral service

Turkey witnesses journalism's funeral service

The period of time which began with the Dec. 17 and 25 corruption and bribery investigations, and which has been characterized by Recep Tayyip Erdoğan himself as the “Second War of Independence,” will leave behind much permanent damage.

More:BÜLENT KORUCU - Turkey witnesses journalism's funeral service

From Afghanistan to Turkey, a refugee’s extraordinary journey from an ‘ordinary war’ - RIGHTS

From Afghanistan to Turkey, a refugee’s extraordinary journey from an ‘ordinary war’

Mehmet İren—ISTANBUL
Farzad Shafai, an Afghan refugee, arrived in Turkey four years ago. Against all odds, he managed to make it into university. Unending bureaucracy stands between him and his future

More:From Afghanistan to Turkey, a refugee’s extraordinary journey from an ‘ordinary war’ - RIGHTS

Media is a punch bag, Internet next battleground - CİHAN

Media is a punch bag, Internet next battleground
ISTANBUL - 30.08.2014 11:30:55

Bugün, Evrensel, Yurt, Birgün, Zaman, Yeni Çağ, the Cihan news agency, Samanyolu Haber TV, Aydınlık, Ulusal TV, Kanaltürk and Today's Zaman.
Those are the names of the 12 news outlets that were banned from covering a key event in Turkish politics on Thursday, when the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) said farewell to its leader, President-elect Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, in what was termed the turning point for a “regime shift.”

More:Media is a punch bag, Internet next battleground - CİHAN

Who’s the bigger Turkey? | New York Post

Who’s the bigger Turkey?

By Post Editorial Board

August 30, 2014 | 7:44pm

Remember the hue and outcry when the news broke that the National Security Agency had been monitoring the cell phone of German Chancellor Angela Merkel?

More:Who’s the bigger Turkey? | New York Post

Erdogan meets with Israeli diplomat -- a first in 6 years | The Times of Israel

Erdogan meets with Israeli diplomat — a first in 6 years

Turkish president-elect shakes hands with chargé d’affaires despite scathing criticism of Jerusalem, most recently over Gaza war

More:Erdogan meets with Israeli diplomat -- a first in 6 years | The Times of Israel

Farmers protest Turkish economic policies

Farmers protest Turkish economic policies
By Abdennour Toumi

Mardin, Turkey – Last week, fire and barricades blocked the roads for three days as farmers protested their electricity and water being cut off to irrigate their corn fields. In the southern districts of Derik and Kiziltepe.

More:Farmers protest Turkish economic policies

Saturday, August 30, 2014

Getting around Ottoman Istanbul - TASTE OF THE PAST

Getting around Ottoman Istanbul

Niki Gamm
When the Ottomans grew leery and weary, they simply had a to call upon a carriage to carry them

More:Getting around Ottoman Istanbul - TASTE OF THE PAST

Watch the stars blanket the night sky in Turkey | Travel | Daily Sabah

WATCH THE STARS BLANKET THE NIGHT SKY IN TURKEY

With a dizzying array of stars and constellations blanketing the night skies, Turkey, with its light pollution-free locations and clear skies, offers you the serenity of stargazing

More:Watch the stars blanket the night sky in Turkey | Travel | Daily Sabah

Turkey encourages the construction of new hotels – 53 new properties in the development ~ Saturday, 30th August 2014 from 4Hoteliers

Turkey encourages the construction of new hotels – 53 new properties in the development
Saturday, 30th August 2014
Source : TOPHOTELPROJECTS

The tourism in Turkey continues to grow, considering the increasing number of visitors, the Turkish government is now encouraging the construction of new hotels.

According to TOPHOTELPROJECTS, the worldwide leading provider of global b2b hotel data, currently 53 new properties will arise, some of them by famous hotel operators.

More:Turkey encourages the construction of new hotels – 53 new properties in the development ~ Saturday, 30th August 2014 from 4Hoteliers

An Armenian Guest for Turkey’s Presidential Inauguration | EurasiaNet.org

An Armenian Guest for Turkey’s Presidential Inauguration
August 29, 2014 - 9:33am, by Giorgi Lomsadze

Conspicuously present at the grand, August-28 inauguration of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was Armenian Foreign Minister Eduard Nalbandian, marking the first-time Armenia has participated in a state-ceremony hosted by its historic enemy, Turkey.

More:An Armenian Guest for Turkey’s Presidential Inauguration | EurasiaNet.org

Ever more foreign couples wedding in Istanbul - LOCAL

Ever more foreign couples wedding in Istanbul

ISTANBUL – Anadolu Agency

Istanbul may not sound like the likeliest place a Scottish woman and an Irishman to tie the knot in. Having previously lived in Turkey’s capital Ankara, before moving to their current home in Dubai, Stephanie and Henry chose Istanbul for their wedding celebration because “they had fallen in love with Turkey.”

More:Ever more foreign couples wedding in Istanbul - LOCAL

President Erdoğan visits Anıtkabir as Turkey marks Victory Day - POLITICS

President Erdoğan visits Anıtkabir as Turkey marks Victory Day

ANKARA
Turkey is celebrating the Victory Day on Aug. 30, marking the 92nd anniversary of the Turkish victory against Greek forces at the Battle of Dumlupınar, the final battle of the War of Independence.

More:President Erdoğan visits Anıtkabir as Turkey marks Victory Day - POLITICS

New Turkish cabinet keeps key economic team in place - Yahoo News

New Turkish cabinet keeps key economic team in place
Reuters
August 29, 2014 5:57 AM

ANKARA (Reuters) - Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu announced his new cabinet on Friday, keeping key members of the country's economic management team in place and appointing the man who has managed its affairs with Europe as foreign minister.

More:New Turkish cabinet keeps key economic team in place - Yahoo News

Number of Yazidi refugees in Turkey swells to 16,000: official - Yahoo News

Number of Yazidi refugees in Turkey swells to 16,000: official
AFP

Istanbul (AFP) - The number of refugees from Iraq's Yazidi religious minority who have fled to Turkey from the advance of jihadists has risen to 16,000 and may rise further, a top provincial official was quoted as saying Saturday.

More:Number of Yazidi refugees in Turkey swells to 16,000: official - Yahoo News

Turkey and Germany ministers meet amid spying row | EUROPE ONLINE

Turkey and Germany ministers meet amid spying row

30.08.2014
By our dpa-correspondent and Europe Online

Istanbul (dpa) - The interior ministers of Turkey and Germany met in Ankara, local media said Saturday, following reports this month that Berlin routinely spied on its NATO ally.

News magazine Der Spiegel reported two weeks back that Germany‘s BND intelligence agency had spied on Turkey since 2009 and that the operations were probably still ongoing.

More:Turkey and Germany ministers meet amid spying row | EUROPE ONLINE

Turkish president Erdogan appoints divisive aide as economic adviser | Reuters

Turkish president Erdogan appoints divisive aide as economic adviser

ANKARA Sat Aug 30, 2014 6:48am EDT

(Reuters) - Newly inaugurated Turkish president Tayyip Erdogan has appointed his close aide Yigit Bulut to be his chief economics adviser, his office said on Saturday, a move likely to alarm investors already concerned over the management of the country's finances.

More:Turkish president Erdogan appoints divisive aide as economic adviser | Reuters

Turkey's Jewish intellectuals denounce being targeted over Israel's Gaza assault - LOCAL

Turkey's Jewish intellectuals denounce being targeted over Israel's Gaza assault

ISTANBUL

A group of Turkish-Jewish intellectuals have denounced being targeted over Israel’s recent operations in Gaza, describing attempts to hold them responsible for Israel’s policies as "racist."

More:Turkey's Jewish intellectuals denounce being targeted over Israel's Gaza assault - LOCAL

80 art galleries from 24 countries meet in Istanbul - ARTS

80 art galleries from 24 countries meet in Istanbul

ISTANBUL

The second ArtInternational art fair will be held at Haliç Congress Center in Istanbul from Sept. 26 to 28. Art enthusiasts will enjoy artwork from 80 different galleries from 24 countries around the globe, including Finland, the United States, China, and Saudi Arabia.

More:80 art galleries from 24 countries meet in Istanbul - ARTS

Brutal Rise of Islamic State Turns Old Enemies Into New Friends - WSJ

Brutal Rise of Islamic State Turns Old Enemies Into New Friends

By Gerald F. Seib and Bill Spindle

Updated Aug. 30, 2014 12:43 p.m. ET

In the brutal calculation of Middle East politics, the baseline for friendship has always been simple: The enemy of my enemy is my friend.

More:Brutal Rise of Islamic State Turns Old Enemies Into New Friends - WSJ

PKK - from terrorist threat to ally? | Germany | DW.DE | 30.08.2014

PKK - from terrorist threat to ally?

The Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) is banned in Germany. The EU deems it a terrorist group. Now, however, regarding the threat from 'IS,' some German politicians appear ready to begin discussions over reconsidering.

More:PKK - from terrorist threat to ally? | Germany | DW.DE | 30.08.2014

New Turkish top diplomat: pro-EU Erdogan ally with daunting task

New Turkish top diplomat: pro-EU Erdogan ally with daunting task

Cavusoglu takes on the post at a critical time, facing an enormous task with Turkey mired in foreign policy difficulties in the Middle East amid the strife in its conflict-torn neighbors Syria and Iraq

More:New Turkish top diplomat: pro-EU Erdogan ally with daunting task

Friday, August 29, 2014

Israel Hayom | What happens when you care about Israel, but love Turkey?

What happens when you care about Israel, but love Turkey?

From the funeral of the wealthy Jewish couple murdered in Istanbul to the lavish bar mitzvah of the son of Istanbul's chief rabbi, against the backdrop of rising tensions over Israel, Boaz Bismuth tries to figure out Turkey's Jews.

More:Israel Hayom | What happens when you care about Israel, but love Turkey?

Turkey: Watermelons and tomatoes, the most consumed in Ankara

Turkey: Watermelons and tomatoes, the most consumed in Ankara

According to data from Ankara Metropolitan Municipality, watermelon, as in previous years, was the most consumed fruit during the months of June and July, with wholesale market sales totalling 144,882 tonnes.

More:Turkey: Watermelons and tomatoes, the most consumed in Ankara

Travel secrets locked in an Istanbul labyrinth

Travel secrets locked in an Istanbul labyrinth

A multi-faceted Turkish love story leads off-track to a fascinating journey of discovery in Istanbul, writes Kerry van der Jagt.

Nothing focuses the mind like the word "secret", especially when it is whispered by a man carrying two cats and an armful of books. "Here's the book you've been searching for," he purrs, putting the cats down and handing me a thick paperback novel.

More:Travel secrets locked in an Istanbul labyrinth

Turkey’s education row deepens as thousands placed in religious schools ‘against their will’ - LOCAL

Turkey’s education row deepens as thousands placed in religious schools ‘against their will’

ISTANBUL

Turkey’s secondary education examination row has deepened, amid reports that thousands of students, including some non-Muslims, have been placed in Islamic vocational schools for the upcoming school year.

More:Turkey’s education row deepens as thousands placed in religious schools ‘against their will’ - LOCAL

Musical periods, instruments focus of İstanbul Modern exhibits

Musical periods, instruments focus of İstanbul Modern exhibits
Evin İlyasoğlu
August 29, 2014, Friday/ 19:05:46/ TODAY'S ZAMAN / ISTANBUL

İstanbul Modern will host two admission-free events in conjunction with its most recent show, “Plurivocality: Visual Arts and Music in Turkey,” next month, focusing on different musical periods and instruments.

More:Musical periods, instruments focus of İstanbul Modern exhibits

Erdoğan's new jet arrives in İstanbul

Erdoğan's new jet arrives in İstanbul

The new presidential jet, an Airbus A330-200 Prestige, landed at İstanbul's Sabiha Gökçen International Airport early on Aug. 29, only one day after Recep Tayyip Erdoğan began active duty as the 12th president of Turkey.

More:Erdoğan's new jet arrives in İstanbul

JOOST LAGENDIJK - New, self-delusional Turkey

New, self-delusional Turkey

To be honest, I can't stand it anymore, these overblown and bombastic references to a “New Turkey” by the just-installed Turkish president, his successor as prime minister and their acolytes in the media.
More:JOOST LAGENDIJK - New, self-delusional Turkey

New Cabinet: 25 men, 1 woman

New Cabinet: 25 men, 1 woman

The appointment of only one female minister out of 26 positions in the new Cabinet, announced on Friday by Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu, has caused discontent among women's rights groups in Turkey.

More:New Cabinet: 25 men, 1 woman

Göbeklitepe: The world’s oldest sculpture workshop - ARCHAEOLOGY

Göbeklitepe: The world’s oldest sculpture workshop

ŞANLIURFA – Anadolu Agency
Twenty years have passed since archaeological excavations started in Göbeklitepe. Findings so far have revealed that the ancient site was the world’s oldest sculpture workshop

More:Göbeklitepe: The world’s oldest sculpture workshop - ARCHAEOLOGY

Turkey renames Kurdish peace process mediator - POLITICS

Turkey renames Kurdish peace process mediator

ANKARA

Turkey’s new government formed by Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu has introduced Deputy Prime Minister Yalçın Akdoğan as the most likely replacer of Beşir Atalay, who has been conducting the Kurdish peace process since 2009.

More:Turkey renames Kurdish peace process mediator - POLITICS

Refugees pour into Turkey amid Middle East chaos | Middle East | DW.DE | 29.08.2014

Refugees pour into Turkey amid Middle East chaos

With civil war raging in Syria and IS-terrorists rampaging through Iraq, Turkey is struggling with a flood of refugees. Many have been integrated, but Turkish resentment is growing and many challenges remain.

More:Refugees pour into Turkey amid Middle East chaos | Middle East | DW.DE | 29.08.2014

APA - Armenian FM invites Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to Yerevan

Armenian FM invites Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to Yerevan

Baku. Rufet Ahmadzadeh – APA. Armenia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Edward Nalbandian has invited Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to Yerevan.

More:APA - Armenian FM invites Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to Yerevan

A Peorian Makes Sense of Turkey | The Weekly Standard

A Peorian Makes Sense of Turkey
Growth trumps (nearly) all.
Sep 8, 2014, Vol. 19, No. 48 • By IKE BRANNON

In my quest to write an article about my family vacation to Turkey and thereby write off part of the cost, I came up with an observation I deemed worthy of David Brooks or Malcolm Gladwell. It turned out to be dead wrong.

More:A Peorian Makes Sense of Turkey | The Weekly Standard

Are Turkey's top judges 'assassins'? - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East

Are Turkey's top judges 'assassins'?

In a farewell speech at his party’s Aug. 27 convention, Turkey’s President-elect Recep Tayyip Erdogan lashed out at the High Court of Appeals. The speech provided insight into Erdogan's state of mind and what is in store for the country in the coming days.

More:Are Turkey's top judges 'assassins'? - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East

Treason becomes routine accusation in Turkey - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East

Treason becomes routine accusation in Turkey

Treason is a loaded word, but new Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has made it a habit over the years to accuse anyone critical of his policies with treason. He did the same Aug. 27 in his farewell speech to his Justice and Development Party (AKP) members and used the word “treason” 12 times, accusing the opposition, the Gulenists and the judiciary.

More:Treason becomes routine accusation in Turkey - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East

Looking to Europe, Turkey increases investment in Azeri gas - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East

Looking to Europe, Turkey increases investment in Azeri gas

Turkey wants to free itself from foreign dependence on energy following the realization that the cost of energy was the main cause of the $65.1 billion deficit in 2013.

More:Looking to Europe, Turkey increases investment in Azeri gas - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East

Syrian refugees suffer as prejudice grows in Turkey | Mid-East | Saudi Gazette

Syrian refugees suffer as prejudice grows in Turkey

Mohanad Hage Ali

FOR Syrian refugees in Turkey, Jordan, Lebanon and elsewhere, their plight is similar. Rape, sexual harassment at work and on the streets, homelessness, racism, and job exploitation are regular occurrences.

More:Syrian refugees suffer as prejudice grows in Turkey | Mid-East | Saudi Gazette

The headscarf is not a gauge of devoutness

Book review: Emel Zeynelabidin's "You grow up only in this life"

The headscarf is not a gauge of devoutness
In her book "Erwachsen wird man nur im Diesseits" (You grow up only in this life), the Turkish-German author Emel Zeynelabidin reflects on the period of her life when she wore a headscarf and explains why she stopped doing so without abandoning her faith. By Annalena Junggeburth

More:The headscarf is not a gauge of devoutness

Thursday, August 28, 2014

STILL RIDING THE MIDNIGHT EXPRESS: EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH BILLY HAYES - Celebrating Films of the 1960s & 1970s

STILL RIDING THE MIDNIGHT EXPRESS: EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH BILLY HAYES

Hayes in his one man stage show Riding the Midnight Express with Billy Hayes, which is now on tour.

By Mark Cerulli

“Ne Oldu, Ne Oldu, Veelyam Hayes…” That line from Midnight Express, delivered with swaggering menace by a depraved prison warden (played by the great Paul L. Smith) burned itself into this scribe’s cortex back in 1978. Alan Parker’s iconic film about the real-life ordeal of American student Billy Hayes caught smuggling drugs in Turkey and sentenced to a hellish prison became a cultural phenomenon – not to mention an international box office success. It earned glowing reviews and Oscars for screenwriter Oliver Stone and composer Gorgio Moroder. Hayes even met his wife Wendy at the splashy Cannes premiere. No joy for Turkey, though - there was an international outcry about their seemingly draconian justice system and the country’s once-booming tourism hit the skids hard. The gritty association to the film has stuck ever since.

More:STILL RIDING THE MIDNIGHT EXPRESS: EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH BILLY HAYES - Celebrating Films of the 1960s & 1970s

Previewing the Internet Governance Forum in Istanbul | Center for Democracy & Technology

Previewing the Internet Governance Forum in Istanbul

August 28, 2014

The 9th annual Internet Governance Forum (IGF) meets in Istanbul this year from 1 to 5 September. As with IGF Bali last year, the meeting will be a chance for human rights advocates, members of government, industry representatives, the technical community, academics, and others from around the world to come together and discuss issues related to Internet policy and governance. I’ll be there representing CDT, along with Emma Llanso. We hope that Istanbul will build upon the success of Bali and explore how IGF can be further strengthened to ensure its continuing success.

More:Previewing the Internet Governance Forum in Istanbul | Center for Democracy & Technology

Turkish Central Bank vows tight policy as growth and inflation outlook turns darker - ECONOMICS

Turkish Central Bank vows tight policy as growth and inflation outlook turns darker

ISTANBUL – Reuters

The Central Bank has shown signals of refocusing on price stability and hinted that it foresees that Turkish economic growth will lose momentum in the second half of the year, bankers and economists said after a meeting with Bank authorities.

More:Turkish Central Bank vows tight policy as growth and inflation outlook turns darker - ECONOMICS

Turkey's Erdogan says EU, Kurdish peace, democracy top priorities - World | The Star Online

Turkey's Erdogan says EU, Kurdish peace, democracy top priorities

ANKARA (Reuters) - Newly inaugurated Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Thursday that European Union accession, democratic reforms and the Kurdish peace process would be priorities, in his first speech as head of state.

More:Turkey's Erdogan says EU, Kurdish peace, democracy top priorities - World | The Star Online

My Sailing: First-ever Turkish team brings Extreme Series entries to 12

First-ever Turkish team brings Extreme Series entries to 12

29 Aug 2014

The first-ever Turkish Extreme 40 syndicate, TeamTurx, has been confirmed to compete at the Extreme Sailing Series Act 6 Istanbul as an invitational entry, bringing the tally of boats on the startline up to 12. The event will be further bolstered by support from co-Host Venue partners Yandex, one of Europe’s largest technology and internet companies, and Palmarina, a world class marina located in Bodrum, south Turkey.

More:My Sailing: First-ever Turkish team brings Extreme Series entries to 12

Opinion: Prime minister at Erdogan′s mercy | Europe | DW.DE | 28.08.2014

Opinion: Prime minister at Erdogan's mercy

Turkey's Ahmet Davutoglu replaces Recep Tayyip Erdogan as prime minister as Erdogan enters the president's office. But what's good for Erdogan is a catastrophe for the country, writes DW's Daniel Heinrich.

More:Opinion: Prime minister at Erdogan′s mercy | Europe | DW.DE | 28.08.2014

Greek, Turkish Cypriot Negotiators Meet Ahead Of UN-Mediated Talks

Greek, Turkish Cypriot Negotiators Meet Ahead Of UN-Mediated Talks
8/27/2014 8:13 PM ET

The United Nations has confirmed that Greek and Turkish Cypriot negotiators have met in Nicosia to discuss arrangements for the upcoming meeting of the leaders from the two sides.

More:Greek, Turkish Cypriot Negotiators Meet Ahead Of UN-Mediated Talks

Greek, Turkish Cypriot Negotiators Meet Ahead Of UN-Mediated Talks

Greek, Turkish Cypriot Negotiators Meet Ahead Of UN-Mediated Talks
8/27/2014 8:13 PM ET

The United Nations has confirmed that Greek and Turkish Cypriot negotiators have met in Nicosia to discuss arrangements for the upcoming meeting of the leaders from the two sides.

More:Greek, Turkish Cypriot Negotiators Meet Ahead Of UN-Mediated Talks

Ancient throne discovered in excavations at Euromos - ARCHAEOLOGY

Ancient throne discovered in excavations at Euromos

MUĞLA - Anadolu Agency

Excavation works in the ancient city of Euromos, located near the city of Milas in the western province of Muğla, have revealed the remains of a 2,300 year-old throne.

More:Ancient throne discovered in excavations at Euromos - ARCHAEOLOGY

Justice remains ‘undone’ in Ottawa slaying of Turkish diplomat | Ottawa Citizen

Justice remains 'undone' in Ottawa slaying of Turkish diplomat
Samantha Wright Allen

More than three decades after a Turkish diplomat was assassinated in Ottawa, mourners gathered Wednesday to remember his death.

More:Justice remains ‘undone’ in Ottawa slaying of Turkish diplomat | Ottawa Citizen

Turkey's PKK Fighters in Iraq and Syria Revive Kurdish Cause - NBC News.com

Turkey's PKK Fighters in Iraq and Syria Revive Kurdish Cause
By Lauren Bohn

LICE, Turkey - Standing in a parched field far from any roads in Turkey’s southeastern mountains, a teary-eyed Sokrun Gunduz clutched photographs of her two absent sons.

More:Turkey's PKK Fighters in Iraq and Syria Revive Kurdish Cause - NBC News.com

LIVE: Erdoğan takes over Turkey’s presidency after tense parliamentary ceremony - POLITICS

LIVE: Erdoğan takes over Turkey’s presidency after tense parliamentary ceremony

ANKARA

Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is stepping down as Turkey’s prime minister and being installed as president, in a ceremony boycotted by the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP).

More:LIVE: Erdoğan takes over Turkey’s presidency after tense parliamentary ceremony - POLITICS

Where did Turkey’s former president go wrong? - BARÇIN YİNANÇ

Where did Turkey’s former president go wrong?

“The first time I met her; she had no idea about my expertise. I gave her a briefing. When we met six months after, I found a woman who had done her homework, asking me all the right questions.”

More:Where did Turkey’s former president go wrong? - BARÇIN YİNANÇ

Freedom House criticizes Ankara over Internet freedoms - RIGHTS

Freedom House criticizes Ankara over Internet freedoms

WASHINGTON

Washington-based watchdog Freedom House has criticized the Turkish government over increasing restrictions on the Internet, describing Turkey as a “battleground state” in Internet freedom in its latest report.

More:Freedom House criticizes Ankara over Internet freedoms - RIGHTS

Erdogan Has the Last Laugh as he Consolidates Power Over Turkey » The Indian Republic

Erdogan Has the Last Laugh as he Consolidates Power Over Turkey

Thursday, 28 August 2014 13:53
Sudhir Menon

Turkey has a unique position in world geo-politics. It’s the only Islamic nation to be part of the NATO alliance, the world’s only democratically secular Muslim majority nation and its strategic location between Russia, Middle East and Europe makes it an important transit point for world trade and energy resource movement.

More:Erdogan Has the Last Laugh as he Consolidates Power Over Turkey » The Indian Republic

Erdoğan sworn-in as president, opposition boycotts ceremony

Erdoğan sworn-in as president, opposition boycotts ceremony

Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has taken the oath of office as Turkey's first president elected by popular vote.

Erdoğan, now the 12th president of Turkey, took his oath at Parliament in a ceremony that was boycotted by main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) deputies.

More:Erdoğan sworn-in as president, opposition boycotts ceremony

İstanbul taxi fares hiked, drivers want more

İstanbul taxi fares hiked, drivers want more

The base taxi fare in İstanbul has been raised from TL 2.95 to TL 3.20, and the cost per kilometer has been increased from TL 1.83 to TL 2, authorities announced on Wednesday.

More:İstanbul taxi fares hiked, drivers want more

Is PKK becoming a new Middle East power? - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East

Is PKK becoming a new Middle East power?

The world is apprehensively watching the dramatic rise and expansion of the Islamic State (IS) in Iraq and Syria. The jihadists becoming the No. 1 threat to global security is no doubt a grave development and an appropriate focus of international attention. Yet, the jihadist threat should not overshadow the interrelated rise of another power in the region: Turkey’s Kurdish movement, the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK).

More:Is PKK becoming a new Middle East power? - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East

The evolution of the Turkish military's role in politics - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East

The evolution of the Turkish military's role in politics

On Aug. 15, Hizb-ut Tahrir (Party of Liberation, a Sunni organization with Pan-Islamist goals) held an "international media conference" in Beirut. The conference was titled “Gaza … Rather All of Palestine Seeks Victory from Muslim Armies.” At the conference, Mahmut Kar, a Turkish representative of Hizb-ut Tahrir, gave a formidable speech, asking, “Where is the glorious Turkish army? Is it not the best army of the Middle East and eighth-best in the world? We as Hizb-ut Tahrir call upon the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF). For a long time, you have disregarded your religious calling (jihad). You are silent about Gaza. We warn you: Come to the righteous path of jihad in the name of Allah and specifically defend Gaza, and in general liberate the Muslim world from its miseries.”

More:The evolution of the Turkish military's role in politics - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

MINA Breaking News - Dangerous Drug Takes Hold of Turkey

Dangerous Drug Takes Hold of Turkey
Wednesday, 27 August 2014

The body of Volkan Senyurt was found slumped against a tree on a hill in Istanbul, one morning this summer.

The 20-year-old had been home on a break from the military when he died.

More:MINA Breaking News - Dangerous Drug Takes Hold of Turkey

Turkey hits back over western Isis criticism - FT.com

Turkey hits back over western Isis criticism

By Daniel Dombey in Istanbul

Turkey has hit out at western criticism of its efforts to prevent foreign fighters travelling to join the ranks of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, calling on its partners in Western Europe and north Africa to do more to stop the militants.

More:Turkey hits back over western Isis criticism - FT.com

Turkish central bank keeps key interest rate unchanged | Business | Dunya News

Turkish central bank keeps key interest rate unchanged
Last Updated On 27 August,2014 About 3 hours ago

ISTANBUL (AFP) - Turkey s central bank on Wednesday kept its key interest rate steady, following warnings from markets that further cuts would be dangerous at a time of high inflation.

More:Turkish central bank keeps key interest rate unchanged | Business | Dunya News

Restoration of possible presidential residence in Istanbul questioned by famous historian - LOCAL

Restoration of possible presidential residence in Istanbul questioned by famous historian

ISTANBUL

The restoration of a historical mansion in Istanbul, a possible residence for President-elect Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, has been strongly criticized by İlber Ortaylı, a Turkish historian of the Ottoman era.

More:Restoration of possible presidential residence in Istanbul questioned by famous historian - LOCAL

A 20 hour Istanbul Turkey Layover Adventure

A 20 Hour Istanbul Turkey Layover Adventure
By Ted Nelson, Traveling Ted | August 27, 2014

Flying to Bangkok with Turkish Airlines, I had an 8 hour layover sandwiched between two 10 plus hour flights in Istanbul. It is difficult to do much in 8 hours, so I hung out at the airport for 8 hours. It was quite a tedious experience.

More:A 20 hour Istanbul Turkey Layover Adventure

Twitter keen to open office in Turkey, but needs time and communication: Turkish watchdog - RIGHTS

Twitter keen to open office in Turkey, but needs time and communication: Turkish watchdog

ANKARA

Turkey’s communications watchdog has said social media giant Twitter is open to the idea of setting up a representative office in Turkey, adding that talks will resume next week.

More:Twitter keen to open office in Turkey, but needs time and communication: Turkish watchdog - RIGHTS

May 2013 - July 2014: Turkey’s Long Year of Content Restrictions Online | Freedom House

May 2013 - July 2014: Turkey’s Long Year of Content Restrictions Online

by Nate Schenkkan

Understanding restrictions on the media sphere is an indispensable part of discussing how the Internet is governed in Turkey. As Aslı Tunç notes in the third section of this report, one of the striking features of the Gezi Park protests in June 2013 was how protesters turned to online platforms, especially Twitter, Facebook, and live-streaming services like Ustream, to publicize events that the traditional media ignored. For a brief period, Turkey was an antidote to pessimism about the Internet and political activism after the painful descent of the Arab Spring into counter- revolution and civil war. Although overwhelming police force eventually broke the Gezi protests, new online media outlets continued to flourish in Turkey through 2013 and 2014, seeking to capture the momentum of the summer.

More:May 2013 - July 2014: Turkey’s Long Year of Content Restrictions Online | Freedom House

Incoming Turkish prime minister says EU membership strategic target | Reuters

Incoming Turkish prime minister says EU membership strategic target

ANKARA Wed Aug 27, 2014 10:31am EDT

(Reuters) - Incoming Turkish prime minister Ahmet Davutoglu said on Wednesday membership of the European Union was a strategic target for Turkey and will be pursued decisively.

More:Incoming Turkish prime minister says EU membership strategic target | Reuters

Access to Technology for All Women in Turkey | Melis Figanmese

Access to Technology for All Women in Turkey

It is no doubt Turkey's women are tech savvy. They're laughing all over social media at conservative ideals and throwing slippers to oppose violence against women in Turkey. Women with access to technology and the know-how are taking Twitter by storm, turning to online means to surpass the lack of transparency in local media and tell the world their stories. But in reality, how many women in the country actually have access to a computer? How many know how to use the internet? And what would happen if we made it a priority to educate women and give them access to join the conversation?

More:Access to Technology for All Women in Turkey | Melis Figanmese

Ankara-İstanbul high-speed train malfunctions again

Ankara-İstanbul high-speed train malfunctions again

August 27, 2014, Wednesday/ 17:36:51/ TODAY'S ZAMAN / ISTANBUL

The Ankara-İstanbul high-speed train (YHT) malfunctioned once again on Wednesday morning, the latest in a string of technical problems to plague the line since it was opened on July 26.

More:Ankara-İstanbul high-speed train malfunctions again

Turkey’s overlooked role in rise of latest ‘Islamic Caliphate’, and what’s coming next - World Tribune | World Tribune

Turkey’s overlooked role in rise of latest ‘Islamic Caliphate’, and what’s coming next

Special to WorldTribune.com

Gregory R. Copley, GIS/Defense & Foreign Affairs

Much has been spewed forth about the seemingly inexorable and sudden rise, steeped in blood, of a chimeric new “state”, the so-called Islamic Caliphate. It has occupied land seized from Syria and Iraq, both states conveniently presently divided, distracted, and ripe — at least for the moment — for exploitation.

More:Turkey’s overlooked role in rise of latest ‘Islamic Caliphate’, and what’s coming next - World Tribune | World Tribune

In new roles Erdogan, Davutoglu tackle regional challenges - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East

In new roles Erdogan, Davutoglu tackle regional challenges

Turkey is facing a set of challenges in the Middle East, largely but not entirely because of the advent of the Islamic State (IS), which it never expected to face two years ago. Prime Minister-designate Ahmet Davutoglu will have to chart a new course through the turbulence in the region that has started to pose serious threats to Turkey.

More:In new roles Erdogan, Davutoglu tackle regional challenges - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East

A Venetian Odyssey for Turkish cinema

A Venetian Odyssey for Turkish cinema

By Gautaman Bhaskaran

The 71st edition of the world’s oldest and highly celebrated Venice International Film Festival begins today on the Adriatic-swept and lagoon-washed island of Lido, with Alejandro Inarritu’s Birdman (also known as The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance). Starring Michael Keaton, Edward Nortan, Amy Ryan, Emma Stone and Naomi Watts, Birdman is a black comedy about a Broadway actor struggling to mount a play. And how he does this by subduing his own ego and getting his career and family back on track is what Inarritu’s work is going to tell us.

More:A Venetian Odyssey for Turkish cinema

BBC News - Turkey's leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan switches roles

Turkey's leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan switches roles
By Guney Yildiz BBC News

Recep Tayyip Erdogan was no ordinary prime minister and he will certainly not be an ordinary president when he takes on the role on Thursday.

More:BBC News - Turkey's leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan switches roles

Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Economy minister sells apartments in silhouette-spoiling Istanbul towers - POLITICS

Economy minister sells apartments in silhouette-spoiling Istanbul towers

Turkey’s economy minister recently sold two apartments in a controversial three-tower housing project that raised eyebrows for spoiling Istanbul’s historical silhouette and sparked reaction from outgoing Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

More:Economy minister sells apartments in silhouette-spoiling Istanbul towers - POLITICS

Dozens of Turkish holidaymakers sabotaged by fake bookings - TOURISM

Dozens of Turkish holidaymakers sabotaged by fake bookings

Salim Uzun ISTANBUL

Dozens of holidaymakers in Turkey have been victimized by scam hotel websites created by a fraudulent online travel platform, which is accused of conning customers out of thousands of Turkish Liras with fake reservations.

More:Dozens of Turkish holidaymakers sabotaged by fake bookings - TOURISM

The Peninsula Qatar - Turkish assets firm on EU easing hopes

Turkish assets firm on EU easing hopes
August 27, 2014 - 12:00:00 am

ISTANBUL: Turkish assets firmed yesterday one day before the central bank in Ankara holds an interest-rate-setting meeting and with investors expecting the European Central Bank (ECB) to loosen monetary policy as soon as next week.

More:The Peninsula Qatar - Turkish assets firm on EU easing hopes

Why are pro-AKP Twitter users targeting female journalists? - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East

Why are pro-AKP Twitter users targeting female journalists?

The shrinking media freedom in Turkey is in danger of becoming gender-specific. Female journalists critical of government policies who appear on TV seem to be specifically at risk of retaliation. Ceyda Karan of the daily Cumhuriyet is the latest target of a smear campaign after her appearance Aug. 20 on a CNN Turk news talk show. Although she did not say that those supporting Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan are stupid, Cetiner Cetin, a male co-panelist who writes for the pro-Justice and Development Party (AKP) Islamic daily Yeni Safak, twisted her expressions to make it sound that way.

More:Why are pro-AKP Twitter users targeting female journalists? - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East

Turkey′s textile industry: Improvement in sight? | Business | DW.DE | 26.08.2014

Turkey's textile industry: Improvement in sight?

Turkey is known as Europe's largest textile manufacturer. Many top global brands source garments from this country. Trade union leaders, however, criticize the poor working conditions in the industry.

More:Turkey′s textile industry: Improvement in sight? | Business | DW.DE | 26.08.2014

ISTANBUL: U.S. sends mixed messages over potential military operations in Syria | World | The State

U.S. sends mixed messages over potential military operations in Syria

By Roy Gutman, Nancy A. Youssef and Jonathan S. Landay

ISTANBUL — The Syrian government on Monday warned the United States against launching unilateral attacks against the Islamic State extremist group on its territory, but Washington said it wouldn’t seek the Assad regime’s permission to defend American lives.

More:ISTANBUL: U.S. sends mixed messages over potential military operations in Syria | World | The State

Take a tour of Turkey’s women-only beach - TRAVEL

Take a tour of Turkey’s women-only beach

Sibel Arna - ANTALYA

On my visit to Sarısu Beach, the free-of-charge, women-only beach in the southern province of Antalya that has recently caused such a stir, it perhaps should not have been a surprise to see that a Salvador Dali image was the only reference to a male in sight.

More:Take a tour of Turkey’s women-only beach - TRAVEL

Ani ruins reveal hidden secrets from below - ARCHAEOLOGY

Ani ruins reveal hidden secrets from below

KARS – Cihan News Agency
New underground structures have come to light in Ani, one of Turkey’s most breathtaking ancient sites. History researcher Sezai Yazıcı says the ancient city’s structures should be promoted

More:Ani ruins reveal hidden secrets from below - ARCHAEOLOGY

Bayraktar confirms opening of forest area for construction

Bayraktar confirms opening of forest area for construction

Former Minister of Environment and Urban Planning Erdoğan Bayraktar. (Photo: Cihan)
August 26, 2014, Tuesday/ 18:14:44/ TODAY'S ZAMAN / ISTANBUL

Former Minister of Environment and Urban Planning Erdoğan Bayraktar confirmed that he got involved in the opening of a forested area in İstanbul for construction at the request of President-elect Erdoğan's wife the Cumhuriyet daily said on Tuesday.

More:Bayraktar confirms opening of forest area for construction

State intervenes in major İstanbul development project

State intervenes in major İstanbul development project

The Ministry of Environment and Urban Planning has, alongside the Beyoğlu Municipality, taken control of a major urban development project in central İstanbul, according to a report in the Hürriyet daily on Tuesday.

More:State intervenes in major İstanbul development project

Istanbul Atatürk recognised for environmental efforts - Airport World Magazine

Istanbul Atatürk recognised for environmental efforts

Istanbul Atatürk Airport has been certified for its environmental efforts in reducing the gateway’s carbon emissions.

The TAV Airports operated hub has had been awarded Level 3 certification of Optimisation in the Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) programme, up from Level 2 of Reduction.

More:Istanbul Atatürk recognised for environmental efforts - Airport World Magazine

EU warns candidate members Turkey and Serbia

Export EU-Russia 3.5%. Lower than annual harvest fluctuations
EU warns candidate members Turkey and Serbia

Despite reports in the Russian media that fruit and vegetable prices would not increase as a result of the sanctions, more and more news appear as evidence of the opposite. In Moscow and Kaliningrad, prices are higher than before. Additionally, Russian agriculture needs a financial injection of 13.3 billion. Meanwhile, the EU is trying to prevent non-boycotted countries to become Russia's main suppliers. The Union threatens that this may have consequences for candidate EU states.

More:EU warns candidate members Turkey and Serbia

Q&A: Fatih Akin Discusses His New Film ‘The Cut’ - NYTimes.com

Q&A: Fatih Akin Discusses His New Film ‘The Cut’

The director Fatih Akin, 41, born in Germany to Turkish parents, has mined his mixed heritage to make two complex, critically acclaimed films —“Head-On” (2004) and “The Edge of Heaven” (2007) — which comprise the first parts of what he calls his “Love, Death and the Devil” trilogy. The final installment, “The Cut,” which is set to open at the Venice Film Festival on Sunday, goes back in time to 1915 to replay scenes from one of the most painful and contentious chapters in Turkish history: the Armenian genocide.

More:Q&A: Fatih Akin Discusses His New Film ‘The Cut’ - NYTimes.com

Gov't plans to amend Counterterrorism Law, no plan for general amnesty

Gov't plans to amend Counterterrorism Law, no plan for general amnesty

August 25, 2014, Monday/ 14:44:49/ TODAY'S ZAMAN / ANKARA

The Justice and Development Party (AK Party) government is planning to make amendments to the Counterterrorism Law (TMK) but has no plans to declare a general amnesty for members of the terrorist Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), according to a Turkish newspaper.

More:Gov't plans to amend Counterterrorism Law, no plan for general amnesty

Turkey struggles as 'lone gatekeeper' against Islamic State recruitment | Reuters

Turkey struggles as 'lone gatekeeper' against Islamic State recruitment

By Nick Tattersall and Mariam Karouny

ISTANBUL/BEIRUT Tue Aug 26, 2014 7:21am EDT

(Reuters) - As Islamic State insurgents threaten the Turkish border from Syria, Turkey is struggling to staunch the flow of foreign jihadists to the militant group, having not so long ago allowed free access to those who would join its neighbor's civil war.

More:Turkey struggles as 'lone gatekeeper' against Islamic State recruitment | Reuters

Ancient tombs damaged in construction in Istanbul’s historical peninsula - ARCHAEOLOGY

Ancient tombs damaged in construction in Istanbul’s historical peninsula

Fundanur Öztürk ISTANBUL

Two ancient tomb covers, which were found during the rehabilitation of an underpass in Istanbul’s historical peninsula, have been delivered to Istanbul Archaeology Museum, but only after being damaged in the construction work.

More:Ancient tombs damaged in construction in Istanbul’s historical peninsula - ARCHAEOLOGY

CHARLOTTE MCPHERSON - Turkish honor and dignity

Turkish honor and dignity

A very important point I learned early on in my time in Turkey, which is still true today, is that of showing honor. In general, I have found that there is much heartache and hardship in the lives of many people living in Turkey and some subjects are taboo.

More:CHARLOTTE MCPHERSON - Turkish honor and dignity

Thousands to form giant Atatürk portrait to mark Turkish Victory Day - LOCAL

Thousands to form giant Atatürk portrait to mark Turkish Victory Day

ANKARA

Thousands of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk fans will form a giant portrait of the Turkish Republic’s founder, to mark the country’s national Victory Day, celebrated on the anniversary of the 1922 Battle of Dumlupınar, one of the final battles in Turkey’s War of Independence.

More:Thousands to form giant Atatürk portrait to mark Turkish Victory Day - LOCAL

Obama Administration Debates Bombing Syria To Fight Islamic State; Instead, Washington Should Allow Syria And Others To Battle Killer Radicals

Obama Administration Debates Bombing Syria To Fight Islamic State; Instead, Washington Should Allow Syria And Others To Battle Killer Radicals

Until now, President Barack Obama’s foreign policy appeared to be based more on reason than emotion. In contrast to the easily excitable and often angry Sen. John McCain, for instance, the president did not suggest war was the answer to every international problem.

More:Obama Administration Debates Bombing Syria To Fight Islamic State; Instead, Washington Should Allow Syria And Others To Battle Killer Radicals

North Cyprus: Talat tipped to return to presidency - Politics - ANSAMed.it

North Cyprus: Talat tipped to return to presidency
Former president a supporter of the bi-zonal federal State

25 August, 11:34

(ANSAmed) - NICOSIA, AUGUST 25 - The former president of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC, recognized only by Turkey), Mehmet Ali Talat, looks likely to be named by his party again to run for presidency once more in the upcoming elections in April 2015, as World Bulletin online reported. The left-wing Republican Turkish Party (CTP) is due to announce their candidate for next year's polls on August 28, but already sources close to the party have said that they are "99,99%" decided that Talat, who served as the country's second president between 2005-2010, will be declared as the party's candidate.

More:North Cyprus: Talat tipped to return to presidency - Politics - ANSAMed.it

Turkey reservoir floodgates kills five -

Turkey reservoir floodgates kills five
World News

August 25, 2014-

children drownAt least five people drowned in south-eastern Turkey when dam sluice gates were opened, flooding the dried-out reservoir where they were picnicking, Turkish media reported Monday.

More:Turkey reservoir floodgates kills five -

Monday, August 25, 2014

Social media backs Turkish MP’s threat to throw her shoe - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East

Social media backs Turkish MP’s threat to throw her shoe

In many regions in Turkey, mothers exasperated with a naughty child will take off a slipper and raise it menacingly toward the miscreant, shouting, “Look, the slipper’s coming!” That is the first warning. If the child — typically a boy — fails to stop misbehaving, the slipper soon flies through the air. This “slipper disciplining” usually bears fruit, with the kid either running away or getting hit and calming down. More often than not, the first warning suffices and the child behaves before the slipper takes off.

More:Social media backs Turkish MP’s threat to throw her shoe - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East

Report: Kurdish Rebels Abduct 3 Chinese in Southeast Turkey — Naharnet

Report: Kurdish Rebels Abduct 3 Chinese in Southeast Turkey

Kurdish militants abducted three Chinese workers in Turkey's southeast after the rebels attacked the thermal energy plant where they work, state media said Monday.

More:Report: Kurdish Rebels Abduct 3 Chinese in Southeast Turkey — Naharnet

BBC News - Analysis: Could support for the 'other' Kurds stall Islamic State?

Analysis: Could support for the 'other' Kurds stall Islamic State?
By Cale Salih and Mutlu Civiroglu Kurdish affairs analysts

The US and European countries have started arming and co-ordinating with the Kurds to fight the Islamic State (IS). But the Kurds are by no means a monolithic body, raising the question: are Western powers really helping the Kurds who can most effectively take on IS and rescue besieged civilians?

More:BBC News - Analysis: Could support for the 'other' Kurds stall Islamic State?

Is Turkey Hamas' new headquarters? - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East

Is Turkey Hamas' new headquarters?

On Aug. 20, at the Association of Muslim Scholars conference in Istanbul, senior Hamas official Salach al-Aruri accepted the long-denied charges that Hamas had kidnapped the three Israeli teenagers on June 12. Their bodies were found at the end of June. From the very beginning, Israel said that the kidnapping and murders were carried out by Hamas.

More:Is Turkey Hamas' new headquarters? - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East

Davutoglu faces uneasy relationship with Assad - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East

Davutoglu faces uneasy relationship with Assad

Turkish President-elect Recep Tayyip Erdogan, when announcing his successor as prime minister and chairman of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) would be Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, spoke about how this move would affect Turkish foreign policy.

More:Davutoglu faces uneasy relationship with Assad - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East

Turkish Kurds and Kurdistan | Shows

Turkish Kurds and Kurdistan
Around the World every Monday at 3pm

Lice is a small and remote town in the eastern Turkish province of Diyarbakir. It has a population of just over ten thousand, most of whom are Kurds. Lice is considered a home to the Kurdistan Worker's Party (PKK) whose military wing has battled with Turkey for Kurdish independence for the best part of thirty years. Last week to mark the 30th anniversary of the group's first attacks on its overlords, local PKK supporters erected a statue of the organisation's founder Musham Korkmaz. The statue enraged Turkish nationalists who saw it as an incitement and a promotion of terrorism; the PKK are considered a terrorist organisation by the European Union and the United States as well as Turkey. A court in Lice agreed and ordered the statue's removal and destruction. Security forces were drafted in to carry out the order. They were met by protestors and the situation quickly turned nasty. Demonstrators threw rocks and Molotov cocktails and the army responded by firing bullets into the crowd. According to Turkish newspaper, Hurriyet, a 24-year-old man, Mehdi Taskin, was shot in the head and died. Two others were seriously injured.

More:Turkish Kurds and Kurdistan | Shows

Stretched Dutch say will end Turkey Patriot missile deployment in January - Yahoo News

Stretched Dutch say will end Turkey Patriot missile deployment in January
Reuters

AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - The Netherlands will end its contribution to NATO's deployment of Patriot anti-ballistic missile systems in Turkey at the end of January, the government said on Monday.

More:Stretched Dutch say will end Turkey Patriot missile deployment in January - Yahoo News

Turkish ALS Association receives TL 170,000 over weekend

Turkish ALS Association receives TL 170,000 over weekend

August 25, 2014, Monday/ 17:47:33/ TODAY'S ZAMAN / ISTANBUL

Because an ongoing social media fundraising campaign called “ALS Ice Bucket Challenge" has drawn attention to Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) recently, the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Motor Neuron Disease Association (ALS-MNH Derneği) received TL 170,000 between Friday and Monday.

More:Turkish ALS Association receives TL 170,000 over weekend

Erdoğan's wife orders opening of forest area for construction

Erdoğan's wife orders opening of forest area for construction

August 25, 2014, Monday/ 18:29:51/ TODAY'S ZAMAN / ANKARA

Emine Erdoğan, the wife of President-elect Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, gave instructions to İstanbul Provincial Director of Environment and Urban Planning Ahmet Akyıldız to open a forest area in İstanbul for construction in order prevent one of her friends from going bankrupt, the Cumhuriyet daily said on Monday.
More:Erdoğan's wife orders opening of forest area for construction

Russia allows dairy imports from Turkish firms after Western food ban - Yahoo News

Russia allows dairy imports from Turkish firms after Western food ban
Reuters

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia has allowed dairy supplies from three Turkish firms, its veterinary and phytosanitary service (VPSS) said, boosting imports after Moscow banned most foods from the European Union and the United States.

More:Russia allows dairy imports from Turkish firms after Western food ban - Yahoo News

Istanbul residents in violent protest over Syrian refugees: reports

Istanbul residents in violent protest over Syrian refugees: reports
25 August 2014 | 13:22 | FOCUS News Agency

Istanbul. Hundreds of Istanbul residents angered by the presence of Syrian refugees clashed with police early Monday in a violent protest in a suburb of Turkey's biggest city, reports said, as cited by AFP.

More:Istanbul residents in violent protest over Syrian refugees: reports

The truth behind the "Turkish model" | openDemocracy

The truth behind the "Turkish model"
Ayse Bugra 25 August 2014

Contrary to received wisdom, the “Turkish model” was not based on the entrepreneurial potential of emerging conservative businessmen of Anatolia nurtured by market reforms and the Islamic outlook of the government, but on a regulatory framework changed to allow arbitrary government intervention in support of politically privileged entrepreneurs.

More:The truth behind the "Turkish model" | openDemocracy

Davutoğlu implies his will to work with Babacan - POLITICS

Davutoğlu implies his will to work with Babacan

Uğur Ergan ANKARA

During his first meeting with President-elect Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s inner Cabinet after being named Erdoğan’s successor, outgoing Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu has vowed to maintain economic stability, including working with Deputy Prime Minister Ali Babacan in the new Cabinet.

More:Davutoğlu implies his will to work with Babacan - POLITICS

Russia warns against fake ‘Made in Turkey' tags

Russia warns against fake ‘Made in Turkey' tags

Increasing attempts by Western food producers to sidestep a Russian ban on food products via neighbors that are not subject to the ban have drawn anger in Moscow as authorities call on countries, including Turkey, to boost security checks at their borders.

More:Russia warns against fake ‘Made in Turkey' tags

Anatolia Energy to bolster bank account for uranium in Turkey - Proactiveinvestors (AU)

Anatolia Energy to bolster bank account for uranium in Turkey
Monday, August 25, 2014

Anatolia Energy (ASX:AEK) has requested a trading halt in order to finalise a capital raising.

Its securities will remain in the trading halt until the earlier of the commencement of normal trading on Wednesday, 27th August 2014 or when the announcement is released to the market.

More:Anatolia Energy to bolster bank account for uranium in Turkey - Proactiveinvestors (AU)

Transformation underway - YUSUF KANLI

Transformation underway

A very important week is starting for Turkey. The unprecedented era of two prime ministers and two presidents will come to an end with one of the presidents packing up and moving to Istanbul to become a well-paid pensioner, while the other will relinquish his helm on the prime ministry and move on to become the country’s newly elected 12th president. The elected president will not vacate the prime ministry seat due to a fear that his stepping down will have unsavory consequences. Thus he has immunity and will assume the presidency on Aug. 28.

More:Transformation underway - YUSUF KANLI

Boston journalist freed after being abducted almost 2 years ago in Turkey - NY Daily News

Boston journalist freed after being abducted almost 2 years ago in Turkey

Peter Theo Curtis was attempting to enter Syria when he was kidnapped. News of the release comes days after video emerged of American journalist James Foley being beheaded by Islamic State terrorists. It is unclear what media organization Curtis worked for and the details of his release have not been made public.

More:Boston journalist freed after being abducted almost 2 years ago in Turkey - NY Daily News

Turkish Union of Bars head to attend legal ceremony, defies Erdoğan - POLITICS

Turkish Union of Bars head to attend legal ceremony, defies Erdoğan

Cansu Çamlibel ANKARA

Turkish Union of Bars head Metin Feyzioğlu has defied President-elect Recep Tayyip Erdoğan by saying he will attend the ceremony to mark the new legal year.

More:Turkish Union of Bars head to attend legal ceremony, defies Erdoğan - POLITICS

A tale of two people’s republics: China and Turkey - EMRE DELİVELİ

A tale of two people’s republics: China and Turkey

According to fellow columnist Nuray Mert, “millet,” a word used a lot by President-elect Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, could mean “people.” That would make Turkey a People’s Republic like China. Since I recently spent two weeks there, I can tell you that the two countries are actually quite similar.

More:A tale of two people’s republics: China and Turkey - EMRE DELİVELİ

Women, men swim together to protest Antalya women’s only beach - LOCAL

Women, men swim together to protest Antalya women’s only beach

ANTALYA – Doğan News Agency

A group of people, including female and male members of Antalya People’s House (Halkevi), swam together on Aug. 24 to protest the city’s new women’s only beach.

More:Women, men swim together to protest Antalya women’s only beach - LOCAL

Lack of int’l climate code lets Turkey off hook on emissions - GREEN

Lack of int’l climate code lets Turkey off hook on emissions

Barçın YİNANÇ
The absence of an international regime on climate change has enabled Turkey to enjoy a free ride on a development policy that is careless about emissions, according to an activist. ‘The collapse of the EU process is also the reason why Turkey gives less emphasis to climate change,’ says Ümit Şahin.

More:Lack of int’l climate code lets Turkey off hook on emissions - GREEN

Senior Twitter Executives To Meet With BTK Officials In Istanbul

Senior Twitter Executives To Meet With BTK Officials In Istanbul
2014-08-24
Senior officials of Twitter, one of the most popular social media networks worldwide, and top officials of the Turkey's Internet watchdog, the Information and Communication Technologies Authority (BTK), will hold a meeting in Istanbul on Monday. The main issue to be discussed in the meeting will be a local office planned to be opened by Twitter in Turkey, according to reports in Turkish media outlets on Sunday. According to the reports, the BTK officials will demand that Twitter start to do research and development (R&D) activities in Turkey. This meeting will be the third meeting held between BTK officials and Twitter executives this year. In the previous two meetings, Twitter did not accept the BTK's proposal to open an office in Turkey. The first meeting took place between BTK President Tayfun Acarer and an accompanying delegation and Twitter's vice president and global public policy head, Colin Crowell, on April 14, 2014 in Ankara.

More:Senior Twitter Executives To Meet With BTK Officials In Istanbul

Turkish-Dutch Paraplegic Actress Cycles Across Europe

Turkish-Dutch Paraplegic Actress Cycles Across Europe
2014-08-24
Funda Mujde pedaled through nine countries to mark the 50th anniversary of the first Turkish migration to the Netherlands.

More:Turkish-Dutch Paraplegic Actress Cycles Across Europe

Mystery Writer Finds Istanbul's Byzantine Past Hiding In Plain Sight : NPR

Mystery Writer Finds Istanbul's Byzantine Past Hiding In Plain Sight

by
August 25, 2014 3:26 AM ET

Istanbul makes an exotic first impression: Boat traffic on the Bosphorus Strait sends waves brushing up against the shores of both Europe and Asia as enormous mosques and monuments from previous empires stand guard.

More:Mystery Writer Finds Istanbul's Byzantine Past Hiding In Plain Sight : NPR

Home owner discovers ancient underground city beneath his house in Anatolia | Ancient Origins

Home owner discovers ancient underground city beneath his house in Anatolia

A home owner living in the Melikgazi district of Kayseri province in Anatolia made a surprising discovery while clearing out an area under his house – a subterranean city, of which 4,000 square metres have been excavated so far, according to a report in Hurriyet Daily News. The region of Anatolia in Turkey is famous for its underground cities, particularly in the region of Cappadocia where more than 40 complete underground cities and 200 underground villages and tunnel towns complete with hidden passages, secret rooms, and ancient temples have been found.

More:Home owner discovers ancient underground city beneath his house in Anatolia | Ancient Origins

Sunday, August 24, 2014

Erdoğan’s inauguration ceremony to host leaders from 51 countries

Erdoğan’s inauguration ceremony to host leaders from 51 countries

Ankara will be hosting the leaders of 51 countries and officials from eight international organizations during President-elect Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's inauguration ceremony on Aug. 28, while the leaders of Israel and Egypt, two countries Turkey is at odds with, are not among those invited to participate in the ceremony.

More:Erdoğan’s inauguration ceremony to host leaders from 51 countries

Erdoğan's trap - MAHIR ZEYNALOV

Erdoğan's trap

Mainstream Western media keeps describing the ruthless attacks of the Turkish authorities, the media and its supporters on the followers of Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen as a struggle for state power.

More:Erdoğan's trap - MAHIR ZEYNALOV

British MPs ask Turkey to stop flow of jihadists - EUROPE

British MPs ask Turkey to stop flow of jihadists

ANKARA

A British politician has floated the idea of facilitating Turkey’s stalled European Union membership bid in order to encourage the full membership candidate to put up a stronger fight against the jihadist militants.

More:British MPs ask Turkey to stop flow of jihadists - EUROPE

Turkey shelters Yazidis running from ISIL

Turkey shelters Yazidis running from ISIL

Yazidis, part of Iraq's Kurdish minority, are crossing into Turkey by any means available in order to escape the terrorist attacks of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).

More:Turkey shelters Yazidis running from ISIL

Turkey finishes fourth in Grand Prix, Brazil champions - VOLLEYBALL

Turkey finishes fourth in Grand Prix, Brazil champions

TOKYO

Turkish national women’s volleyball team ended the FIVB World Grand Prix Finals on fourth spot after a four-set victory over Belgium at Ariake Coliseum in Tokyo, as Brazil won the title on Aug. 24.

More:Turkey finishes fourth in Grand Prix, Brazil champions - VOLLEYBALL

Turkey's Erdogan seen softening style not substance as president - Yahoo News

Turkey's Erdogan seen softening style not substance as president
Reuters
By Selin Bucak 7 hours ago

ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Tayyip Erdogan's caustic rhetoric has won him the devotion of Turkey's conservative Islamic heartlands, from his dismissal of political enemies as "worse than leeches" to his comparisons of Israel's actions in Gaza to those of Hitler.

More:Turkey's Erdogan seen softening style not substance as president - Yahoo News

EU Allocates EUR 30 M for Bulgaria-Turkey Cooperation - Novinite.com - Sofia News Agency

EU Allocates EUR 30 M for Bulgaria-Turkey Cooperation

The EU Commission will put aside a total of EUR 30 M for trans-border cooperation between Bulgaria and Turkey in 2014-2020, media sources say.

More:EU Allocates EUR 30 M for Bulgaria-Turkey Cooperation - Novinite.com - Sofia News Agency

Kaya boils down dozens of films into one

Kaya boils down dozens of films into one ‘Remix’ explores copy culture in Turkish pop cinema

LOS ANGELES, Aug 23, (RTRS): Raucous, rowdy and regrettably scatter-brained, Cem Kaya’s side-splitting essay film “Remake, Remix, Rip-off” marks a noble, albeit disorganized effort to convey the appeal of vintage Turkish pop cinema to the world at large. As with sensory-overload Ozploitation docu “Not Quite Hollywood,” admission is worth it for the clips alone — hailing here from a period when the local industry was unabashedly pillaging Western source material and churning out lackluster riffs on such blockbusters as “Star Wars,” “Superman” and “The Wizard of Oz” — though a keen distrib would do well to sit down with Kaya and try to restructure this unwieldy feast.

More:Kaya boils down dozens of films into one

Turkey’s Erdogan faces bumpier economic ride on tricky external environment | Money | The Malay Mail Online

Turkey’s Erdogan faces bumpier economic ride on tricky external environment

August 24, 2014

ISTANBUL, Aug 24 — President-elect Recep Tayyip Erdogan has based his political success on a strong Turkish economy, but a tricky external environment and concerns about the wisdom of some policies means he may have a bumpier ride ahead.

More:Turkey’s Erdogan faces bumpier economic ride on tricky external environment | Money | The Malay Mail Online

‘Halal tourism' a rising trend in Turkey, world

‘Halal tourism' a rising trend in Turkey, world

The number of hotels specifically catering to tourists who lead a pious Islamic lifestyle has grown sharply, according to recent statistics from the Mediterranean Union of Hotel Owners (AKTOB).

More:‘Halal tourism' a rising trend in Turkey, world

Germany has spied on Turkey for 4 decades: Focus magazine

Germany has spied on Turkey for 4 decades: Focus magazine

While German officials have chosen to remain silent about the recent allegations that Germany has been spying on Turkey for the last five years, German magazine Focus has now claimed that Germany has been eavesdropping on Turkey since 1976.

More:Germany has spied on Turkey for 4 decades: Focus magazine

Battle against new PM building to be carried to int'l platforms

Battle against new PM building to be carried to int'l platforms

The Turkish Union of Engineers and Architects Chambers (TMMOB) is planning to bring ongoing efforts to block the construction of the new Prime Ministry complex to international courts.

More:Battle against new PM building to be carried to int'l platforms

Turkish movie wins best film at Sarajevo Flim Festival | GlobalPost

Turkish movie wins best film at Sarajevo Flim Festival

SARAJEVO, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- The movie "Song of My Mother", directed by Erol Mintas from Turkey, on Saturday won the Heart of Sarajevo for the best film at the 20th Sarajevo Film Festival (SFF).

More:Turkish movie wins best film at Sarajevo Flim Festival | GlobalPost

U.S. should reevaluate stance on Turkish foreign policy, diplomacy - The Red and Black : Views

U.S. should reevaluate stance on Turkish foreign policy, diplomacy

When the average American thinks about Turkey images of jelly candies and Ottoman rulers come to mind, but the country is a strategic hotspot in modern geopolitics. The United States has both economic and military assets in the bridge between Europe and Asia, including Incirlik Air Base, home of many US tactical nuclear weapons. Foreign direct investment has also increased in the past few years, creating industrial opportunities for many stakeholders.

More:U.S. should reevaluate stance on Turkish foreign policy, diplomacy - The Red and Black : Views

Michael Bloomberg’s Harder Sell - NYTimes.com

Michael Bloomberg’s Harder Sell

On a sweltering Saturday in June in Istanbul’s old city, Michael R. Bloomberg, power-dressed in a dark blue suit, monogrammed white shirt and cuff links, sat down to a late-morning breakfast with local antismoking activists on a rooftop overlooking the glittering Sea of Marmara.

More:Michael Bloomberg’s Harder Sell - NYTimes.com

Davutoğlu's report card on foreign policy, a list of failures

Davutoğlu's report card on foreign policy, a list of failures

While academic-turned-diplomat Ahmet Davutoğlu, the foreign minister of Turkey since 2009, was nominated to become the leader of the ruling party and the prime minister on Thursday, his signature foreign policy of “zero problems with neighbors” -- that has been mocked as “zero neighbors” -- will leave a legacy of failure in the Middle East and beyond.

More:Davutoğlu's report card on foreign policy, a list of failures

İstanbul's Grand Bazaar is losing its historical texture

İstanbul's Grand Bazaar is losing its historical texture

The 550-year-old Grand Bazaar (Kapalı Çarşı), one of İstanbul's most popular tourist destinations, faces destruction. Water is leaking inside the historic bazaar from its broken windows. Moisture and humidity is slowly destroying the bazaar's walls as the plaster is being stripped away by occasional patches of moss. The wall decorations, which are considered unique examples of traditional Ottoman decorative art, are slowly being destroyed. The garbled power, Internet and telephone cables snake around the ceiling of the bazaar and cause a fire risk. Like its interior, the exterior of the historical bazaar is in a deplorable state. Its roof is occupied with water tanks containing tons of water, air conditioners and satellite dishes. If renovation work is not started at once, the roof of the historical bazaar may collapse at any moment.

More:İstanbul's Grand Bazaar is losing its historical texture

Turkey’s turmoil - Toledo Blade

Turkey’s turmoil
Guest editorial

It is no surprise that Recep Tayyip Erdogan won Turkey’s first direct election for president. He has served as prime minister since 2002; over the intervening years, he has skillfully and ruthlessly established control and cowed any serious opposition, which was weak to begin with.

More:Turkey’s turmoil - Toledo Blade

U.N. Secretary General names new Special Adviser on Cyprus | GlobalPost

U.N. Secretary General names new Special Adviser on Cyprus

NICOSIA, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has appointed Espen Barth Eide, the former Foreign Minister of Norway as his new Special Adviser on Cyprus, a U.N statement issued in Nicosia said on Saturday.

More:U.N. Secretary General names new Special Adviser on Cyprus | GlobalPost

Saturday, August 23, 2014

Davutoğlu’s to-do list prioritizes formation of the new government - SERKAN DEMİRTAŞ

Davutoğlu’s to-do list prioritizes formation of the new government

Right away after he was designated the next chairman of the ruling party and prime minister by President-elect Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Aug. 21, Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu rolled up his sleeves for the formation of the new government as the top item of his long to-do list as prime minister.

mORE:Davutoğlu’s to-do list prioritizes formation of the new government - SERKAN DEMİRTAŞ

Magazine claims Germany has spied on Turkey since 1976

Magazine claims Germany has spied on Turkey since 1976

BND monitoring base in Bad Aibling, near Munich, is seen in this July 2013 file

Germany's foreign intelligence agency has been spying on Turkey for nearly four decades, Focus magazine said on Saturday in a report which could raise tensions further between the NATO allies.

mORE:Magazine claims Germany has spied on Turkey since 1976

Pardon me, but it is TOKİ

Pardon me, but it is TOKİ

August 22, 2014, Friday/ 16:19:39/ AHMET TURAN KÖKSAL

We architects tend to perceive certain phrases as insults even though they are not explicitly insults, such as "pardon me, but s/he is a competition architect," "pardon me, but s/he is a roaming architect" or "pardon me, but s/he is an architect who opposes the Kanal İstanbul project." These phrases seek to denigrate us, and those who utter these phrases believe that we should question our profession.

mORE:Pardon me, but it is TOKİ

VIDEO: Gaza 'flash mob' in Istanbul moves audience to tears - LOCAL

VIDEO: Gaza 'flash mob' in Istanbul moves audience to tears

ISTANBUL

A dramatic reenactment of the recent Israeli air strikes on the Gaza Strip has moved some bystanders to tears in an Istanbul street.

A group of actors staged the reenactment that Turkey's semi-official Anadolu Agency described as a "flash mob" in a street named as "Help Gaza" by Eyüp Municipality.

mORE:VIDEO: Gaza 'flash mob' in Istanbul moves audience to tears - LOCAL

Governor confirms witch hunt, urges journalists to act as informants

Governor confirms witch hunt, urges journalists to act as informants

Balıkesir Governor Ahmet Turhan. (Photo: Cihan)
August 22, 2014, Friday/ 17:48:38/ TODAY'S ZAMAN / ISTANBUL

The governor of Balıkesir province, Ahmet Turhan, revealed on Thursday the extensive witch hunt that has been conducted by order of the government for months, as he encouraged journalists to act as informants.

More:Governor confirms witch hunt, urges journalists to act as informants

A Mediterranean state steeped in history...

A Mediterranean state steeped in history...

By STEPHANIE SUTCLIFFE , Posted on » Saturday, August 23, 2014

The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) is a self-declared state in the eastern Mediterranean that is economically estranged from the rest of the world. Officially recognized only by Turkey, the country came into being in 1983 following a coup d'etat almost a decade earlier that attempted to annex the entire island to Greece. The politics of reunification has dominated the island's affairs in recent years, but in a bid to increase tourism and investment the TRNC has been opening representative offices around the world including one in Bahrain in 2010. The GDN went to find out more.

More:Gulf Daily News » Local News » A Mediterranean state steeped in history...

Laughing at Turkey | Opinion - Rhode Islanders speak out on issues | Providence Journal

Laughing at Turkey

Published: August 23, 2014 01:00 AM
Comments 0
A Turkish woman laughs during a yoga session in a public garden in Ankara, Aug. 2, in protest against Turkey's deputy prime minister Bulent Arinc.

More:Laughing at Turkey | Opinion - Rhode Islanders speak out on issues | Providence Journal

US leaked German eavesdropping - VERDA ÖZER

US leaked German eavesdropping

German magazine Der Spiegel reported last week that the German intelligence agency has been spying on Turkey since 2009. The very next day, Germany’s Ambassador to Turkey, Eberhart Pohl, was summoned to the Turkish Foreign Ministry, which thereafter released a written statement, calling the news “allegations.” Following Pohl’s meeting, I visited the ministry and talked to a top official in order to learn what lies beneath.

More:US leaked German eavesdropping - VERDA ÖZER

15th World Youth Teams Championships in Istanbul - NYTimes.com

15th World Youth Teams Championships in Istanbul

ISTANBUL — At the 15th World Youth Teams Championships here, the three main finals end on Saturday.

More:15th World Youth Teams Championships in Istanbul - NYTimes.com

Food and Grocery Retailing in Turkey - Market Summary and Forecasts: Comprehensive Overview of the Market, Consumer, Competitive Context, Forecasts to 2018, New Report - Press Release - Digital Journal

Food and Grocery Retailing in Turkey - Market Summary and Forecasts: Comprehensive Overview of the Market, Consumer, Competitive Context, Forecasts to 2018, New Report

Market Research Reports, Inc. has announced the addition of “Food and Grocery Retailing in Turkey - Market Summary and Forecasts: Comprehensive overview of the market, consumer, and competitive context, with retail sales value and forecasts to 2018” research report to their offering.

More:Food and Grocery Retailing in Turkey - Market Summary and Forecasts: Comprehensive Overview of the Market, Consumer, Competitive Context, Forecasts to 2018, New Report - Press Release - Digital Journal

The Syrian (academic) refugee crisis viewed from Turkey - University World News

The Syrian (academic) refugee crisis viewed from Turkey
James King22 August 2014 Issue No:331

“Thank God we’re alive, but we are dying an intellectual death.” Wearing a colourful headscarf and a seemingly permanent look of sorrow, an intense and charismatic professor I’ll call Noora shared with me her tragic story of fleeing Syria and becoming a refugee.

More:The Syrian (academic) refugee crisis viewed from Turkey - University World News

Istanbul breakfast junkies’ 119-year-old shrine loses battle against gentrification - LOCAL

Istanbul breakfast junkies’ 119-year-old shrine loses battle against gentrification

ISTANBUL

Pando Kaymak, the iconic breakfast shop in Istanbul’s Beşiktaş neighborhood, with the fame of its buttery clotted cream and honey transmitted generation to generation, is now closing its doors after 119 years of activity.

More:Istanbul breakfast junkies’ 119-year-old shrine loses battle against gentrification - LOCAL

Anti-Arab sentiment on the rise in Turkey - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East

Anti-Arab sentiment on the rise in Turkey

On Aug. 18, Gaziantep, a southeastern industrial city close to the Syrian border, was in a state of panic over a rumor that Syrians had poisoned the drinking water. Last month in Gaziantep and other border towns, protests were staged under the banner “We Do Not Want the Syrians.” The protests led to clashes with the police, physical assaults and vandalism against Syrian-owned businesses. Among the slogans heard were “Tayyip resign,” “City residents do not sleep, retake your city” and “We are the people of this town.” The media is full of sad stories about desperate Syrian, Iraqi and Yazidi refugees, but there is almost no coverage of mounting anti-immigrant sentiment or the increasing frequency of violence against immigrants.

More:Anti-Arab sentiment on the rise in Turkey - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East

Provocations in Turkey as Kurdish peace process gets serious - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East

Provocations in Turkey as Kurdish peace process gets serious

What course will the Kurdish peace process take after President-elect Recep Tayyip Erdogan moves to Cankaya Palace? This is Turkey's most critical question these days. Both the government and the Kurdish side have made encouraging statements to dispel the uncertainty, but the process, swayed by constant ups and downs, is certainly not immune to incidents that may cause its derailment.

More:Provocations in Turkey as Kurdish peace process gets serious - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East

Is Davutoglu facing a 'mission impossible'? - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East

Is Davutoglu facing a 'mission impossible'?

“Prime Minister Davutoglu and the Revolution in Turkey …” is the title of the Aug. 22 article by Ibrahim Karagul, editor-in-chief of the daily Yeni Safak, which is considered one of the most dedicated mouthpieces of the government.

More:Is Davutoglu facing a 'mission impossible'? - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East

Friday, August 22, 2014

INTL FILM | NURI BILGE CEYLAN

NURI BILGE CEYLAN
By Ahmed Adib

Nuri Bilge Ceylan is a Turkish photographer, screenwriter, actor, and film director who has been a part of the international media since 1995. In 2014, he received the Palme d'Or, which is the highest prize awarded at the Cannes Film Festival. He is married to photographer, filmmaker and actress Ebru Ceylan. Nuri graduated from university with a degree of Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering. Born in Istanbul, Turkey on 26 January 1959, he found his interest in photography materializing from the age of 15. He joined the army in Ankara, Turkey, where he discovered that cinema would give shape to his life.

More:INTL FILM | NURI BILGE CEYLAN

Turkey opposition rudderless after Erdogan triumph - Yahoo News

Turkey opposition rudderless after Erdogan triumph
AFP
By Burak Akinci 2 hours ago

Ankara (AFP) - President-elect Recep Tayyip Erdogan's election victory this month has left Turkey's opposition party riven by a revolt over its future with little prospect of a radical change in strategy.

More:Turkey opposition rudderless after Erdogan triumph - Yahoo News